Baby feeding questions - Page 2

Mikoh4792 · 07-31-13, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaianuanu

Turns out, the only local place that sells live rodents at feeder prices doesn't have rats smaller than pups. So it looks like he will stay on mice for a bit.

You can't order rats online?

Kaianuanu · 07-31-13, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

You can't order rats online?

Wouldn't that be kind of pricey considering that this is my only snake and I visit that pet store about weekly for crickets for my chameleon and geckos?

Mikoh4792 · 07-31-13, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaianuanu

Wouldn't that be kind of pricey considering that this is my only snake and I visit that pet store about weekly for crickets for my chameleon and geckos?

Didn't know.

UwabamiReptiles · 07-31-13, 03:00 PM

You could try a fuzzy for the first couple of meals then bump it up to hoppers. I know some people start there hatchlings on hoppers right away. You can make the call when you see the size of their fuzzys and hoppers at the pet shop. About the same size to 1 and 1/2 the diameter of the largest part of the snake. Carpets can take pretty decent size meals.

Mikoh4792 · 08-01-13, 02:43 PM

Why did you put him in a shoebox? Just feed him in the enclosure.

I know many people feed snakes in separate containers with success but I've found through personal experience that ambush snakes are more likely to eat in their own enclosure. The stress of picking your snake up and out of it's cage and then putting it into another box might stress it out before feeding.

Kaianuanu · 08-01-13, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Why did you put him in a shoebox? Just feed him in the enclosure.

I know many people feed snakes in separate containers with success but I've found through personal experience that ambush snakes are more likely to eat in their own enclosure. The stress of picking your snake up and out of it's cage and then putting it into another box might stress it out before feeding.

I did that because most people say that if you feed them in the enclosure, it can make them more aggressive. But if you say it's alright, I'll try again later tonight when he wakes up and starts to explore.

Mikoh4792 · 08-01-13, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaianuanu

I did that because most people say that if you feed them in the enclosure, it can make them more aggressive. But if you say it's alright, I'll try again later tonight when he wakes up and starts to explore.

That is an old myth/rumor. The assumption was that the snake might associate the cage with feeding, so every time you open the cage(whether to handle it or take it out for cleaning), the snake might think your hand is food.

With that reasoning, you could also say the opposite for feeding in a separate container. Every time you take the snake out, it might associate being out of it's enclosure with feeding time. So when you are handling your snake it could also think your hand is food.

Many others and I have been feeding snakes in their own enclosures and none of them are aggressive during handling. They have never even tried to strike at me except for my adult cali king who already came to me very aggressive.(at 2 years old, so she's either an aggressive individual, or she's had a past that made her that way)

Kaianuanu · 08-01-13, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

That is an old myth/rumor. The assumption was that the snake might associate the cage with feeding, so every time you open the cage(whether to handle it or take it out for cleaning), the snake might think your hand is food.

With that reasoning, you could also say the opposite for feeding in a separate container. Every time you take the snake out, it might associate being out of it's enclosure with feeding time. So when you are handling your snake it could also think your hand is food.

Many others and I have been feeding snakes in their own enclosures and none of them are aggressive during handling. They have never even tried to strike at me except for my adult cali king who already came to me very aggressive.(at 2 years old, so she's either an aggressive individual, or she's had a past that made her that way)

Then I'll definitely try feed him in there tonight when he starts to move around. Do you think i should try to dangle it in front of him or just throw it in and let him sniff it out. Also, speaking of kings, I saw a gorgeous 3' hypo brooksi at my local pet shop that I came within an inch of buying. Still considering it since I have a nice big outdoor cage and and live within its natural range. The main thing holding me back is a slightly steep price tag at $99.

Kaianuanu · 08-01-13, 04:30 PM

Also, if he still doesn't eat, do you think exposing the brain would help in this situation?

Mikoh4792 · 08-01-13, 07:32 PM

Your snake is probably feeling vulnerable/stressed out from the clear sides of the enclosure. If your snake wants to be warm but feel secure at the same time, it has no where to go.

Try covering them like this. You can use paper but what I use is some adhesive chalkboard paper. It's like a big sticker you can cut to size and stick on the sides.

Commercial Chalkboard Contact Paper, Black, 18 Inches x 6 Feet: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

Nice perches btw.

Kaianuanu · 08-01-13, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Your snake is probably feeling vulnerable/stressed out from the clear sides of the enclosure. If your snake wants to be warm but feel secure at the same time, it has no where to go.

Try covering it like this

Nice perches btw.

Good idea, especially considering it was probably raised in a rack.

Kaianuanu · 08-01-13, 08:15 PM

since he probably wont eat anytime soon, do you think he will eat the mouse later if I freeze it, or should I just feed it to someone else.

Kaianuanu · 08-01-13, 09:00 PM

Since he spend most of his time in that particular corner, I focused on that spot instead of the whole cage. First I threw in a silk fern that draped over that spot, then I covered the sides of the corner wil some cardboard.

Mikoh4792 · 08-01-13, 09:11 PM

I would cover all the sides but the front, although what you did is better than nothing. It will make him feel like that spot is more secure, since it's more covered than the rest of the enclosure.

Mikoh4792 · 08-01-13, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaianuanu

since he probably wont eat anytime soon, do you think he will eat the mouse later if I freeze it, or should I just feed it to someone else.

I am not sure on that. Maybe someone else can answer this. I don't know how good it would be to thaw something out and freeze it again for later.